Her wet sweetness hits my lips before I can protest. Something inside me wants to say that she can stay the night and sneak out early.
Then again, fun is all we’re doing. No?
18
APRIL
Iwatch through the window in the dance school between the waiting room and the studio. A little group of girls in leotards are dancing in a circle together. I can’t help but smile at the little ballerinas who seem to be enjoying their class.
Spencer asked if I wanted to hang with him and Hadley, and it was an easy yes. He's in the car on the phone while I came in to pick up Hadley. He explained he doesn’t enjoy listening to the dance moms who always have drama, so I would be doing him a favor; plus, his agent called in the car. Parents are only allowed to watch the kids dance during select weeks, but I can’t help but be a rule-breaker.
“Sorry, are you here for Hadley?” the receptionist asks. She's sitting behind a little desk with a laptop. The woman herself looks like a dance teacher, my age too, and completely stunning, with light brown hair and a great complexion.
“Oh.” I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “I am, actually.”
“The new nanny?” She smiles politely.
“No, I’m…” Why can’t I say a friend of Spencer’s? “Uhm, a friend of the family. Spencer asked me to help Hadley grab her jacket after class. He’s out in the car.”
She gives me the once-over, but her smile doesn’t falter. “I get it.” She tightens her ponytail. “I’m Romy, I own the studio.”
“Oh right, well, this is a lovely little place. Hadley talks about dance class all the time.” I do my best to be friendly.
“She is a sweet little girl.” Romy holds a finger up. “Before I forget, her new ballet shoes came in.” She leans down to a delivery box on the floor, filled with new shoe boxes, picks one up, examines the side to check the size, and then hands it to me.
“Thanks. I guess little feet grow fast,” I comment.
Romy crosses her arms and looks at me, almost entertained. “I’m sorry. I must be staring, I just… I’ve never seen anyone here other than Spencer, his mom, or a babysitter that changes in rotation. I kind of thought Spencer doesn’t really do relationships, you know?”
My brows arch, as I am trying to figure out if she is talking from experience or genuinely attempting to make conversation. “Really, it’s nothing. We're good… friends.”
“Good. Really good, perfect.” Her lips roll in and then quirk out as she pulls her sweater tighter around her body, and I think I have my answer of why she is asking, but then she surprises me. “He doesn’t let many people into his inner circle, but it’s nice that he has, is what I mean.”
“Sure.” I nod.
The sound of the class wrapping up and a door opening from the studio breaks this awkward conversation.
“Well, maybe I will see you around. I’ve gotta run, I’m teaching the advanced pointe class next,” she mentions and begins to move.
Advanced, of course.
Romy touches my arm in passing. “Please thank Spencer.”
“For what?”
“I know it was him who paid for the extra shoes and costumes for one of my students whose family could use the extra help now.” She offers me one more smile before heading off.
I don’t have time to digest this fact that I’ve learned, as Hadley is skipping in my direction.
“April, did you watch me?” She hops in place with excitement.
“You bet I did. Those were some amazing sautés, mademoiselle.” I place my hand on her shoulder and guide her to the wall of coats hanging on hooks to encourage her to gather her things.
Her bun nearly knocks me over when she leaps in front of me to grab her coat. “Where’s my daddy?”
“In the car, but if we play our cards right then we can convince him to go to Jolly Joe’s.”
“Yes! I’m hungry.”
